From June 16 to 30, this year’s University Vision-Mission Week (UVMW) was gilded by celebrations of University milestones and Lasallian talent with the theme “Kislap: Liwanag sa Bukang Liwayway”. The three-week-long celebration of the University’s 112th founding anniversary started with an opening mass at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall Grounds and was capped off with the most-awaited Animusika 2023.
Celebrating inclusivity
The UVMW festivities started off in high spirits with performances from the Animo Squad and the La Salle Green Hills Pep Squad during the opening ceremony, Awanggan. “Kislap”, UVMW’s theme song that was composed by the Culture and Arts Office’s Vince Mallari and Joel Aquino, was also unveiled to Lasallians by DLSU Innersoul and Chorale during the opener.
Lasallians represented their colleges in a fashion show, showcasing handcrafted and sustainable gowns made from recycled scrap materials. Simone Noche (II, BS-AEF) rose victorious, donning a rose gold gown made out of fan-shaped magazines, while Bavick Revil (II, AB-POM) and Kenshin Corral (II, BS-MGT) shined second and third place, respectively.
Celebrations were also in place for the golden jubilee of the University becoming a coeducational institution. The first batch of female students that entered the University in 1973, the “Primas”, were in the spotlight during the CoEd: WE@50 concert. The event also featured performances from La Salle Dance Company (LSDC), Lasallian Youth Orchestra, and female OPM artists including Lasallian alumna Barbie Almalbis.
A melting pot of talent
The showcase of Lasallian talent continued at the Natividad-Fajardo Rosario Auditorium in Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall last June 17 with the UVMW staple talent show Lasallian Showtime, which showcased a variety of acts ranging from a drag show to covers of heartbreak hits. Performers were finalists selected after an audition process held from June 6 to 7.
The other half of the day was packed with back-to-back performances from the selected top six Lasallian bands for Tagumpay: Awit ng Serbisyo Battle of the Bands, where groups were given 10 minutes to perform two songs of their choosing. Halfway through the show, the audience was serenaded by special performances from Philippine High School for the Arts-based band BRAVO and alternative rock band Over October.
In the end, Bea Muñoz (IV, BS-ENT), with her original song Oxygen, emerged as the champion of Lasallian Showtime, followed by Murline Uddin (I, AB-PSM) and Joshua Jurado (III, BS-MGT) in second and third place, respectively. Senior high school students from band Muffin & the Blueberries took the top spot of the competition, with rap group Risal and Marikina-based ensemble Archived In The Willows as runners-up.
The champions from each event were invited to perform at Animusika, while the other winners received gift certificates and merchandise from the event sponsors.
Reclaiming live OPM
Lasallians and OPM lovers flocked to the Henry Sy Sr. Hall Grounds for Animusika 2023 last June 30 from 4 pm to 1 am, extending past the scheduled end-time of 10 pm. This was the first time since 2019 that outsiders were able to attend the most-awaited Lasallian music festival.
Headline performers for this year’s Animusika were Zild, Munimuni, Autotelic, Zack Tabudlo, and The Itchyworms. Alongside these well-known hitmakers were That Band Astra, KINDRED, One Click Straight, Arthur Miguel, and PLAYERTWO entertaining the crowd with their high-spirited and captivating performances.
Everything, everywhere all at once
Other fundraising events were also conducted throughout, such as carnival games in the Marian Quadrangle and the annual bazaar, which sold a mix of food and novelties along the Henry Sy Sr. grounds and the walks of St. Joseph, Velasco, and Miguel Halls.
An array of classes were offered from June 26 to 29 as part of the University’s annual Lasallian Enrichment Alternative Program. Each class featured numerous interests including a swim class, a bingo game fundraiser, and the AKBAY Advocacy Summit.
A blood drive, chalk art exhibit, DLSU-PUSO Family Day, and the Himig Worship and Sinag Pride concerts were also held. The human formation of the image of St. La Salle, called Animosaic, which was initially set to be held on June 21, was postponed to the first half of July.
St. La Salle Hall was lit in a spectacle of colors representing the UVMW theme from June 16 to 30. Light and sound shows were done on the facade to the beats of the songs One World, One La Salle and Kislap.
Half of the profits generated from the celebrations are set to be earmarked for next year’s UVMW fund, scholarship funds under the One La Salle program and University Student Government, and assistance funds under the Lasallian Student Welfare Program. The other half would be donated to the assistance programs of this year’s major beneficiary, EHEMPLO, a Lasallian immersion and service program under the Center for Social Concern and Action.
